Balearics - top 3 places to visit

[TonyR123]

Seems like a fair few on the forum have boats in the Balearics. So here goes my first question.

Assuming it is your first motor boat and you have it moored at Mallorca near Palma (portals). What would be the top 3 things to do/visit in the boat from your experience and why? Could be coves for snorkelling, other islands, other ports, just a general drive along the coast, etc. Anything to avoid for a beginner?

Visiting other ports in July/august I guess is difficult from reading other posts.

Thanks
Tony

 

[jrudge]

How about

1. Cabrera ( probably an hour away. Magical )

2. Portals vells ( close and nice )

3. Estrenc as long as the wind is in the right direction.

There are heaps of places

 

[Danfarry]

Cabrera because it really is lovely, you need a permit during the summer months

Puerto Andratx for the food and bars

Puerto Soller

 

[Nick_H]

We were only there a few weeks, but the highlights were Ciudadella in Menorca and Calobra anchorage on N Coast Mallorca. Also liked Andratx and Soller, and the N coasts of the islands generally.

I feel like we didn't get to see the best of the south sides of the islands, as the wind didn't ease up. I can see that Es Trenc could be quite special in the right conditions, but it was fairly windy when we were there. Also Formentera, but the incessant wake from the trip boats ruined it a bit.

 

[Hurricane]

I can see that Es Trenc could be quite special in the right conditions, but it was fairly windy when we were there.

Yes, Nick
Last August was not typical.
We usually get to anchor in Es Trenc and our Sant Carles friends like to meet there but last summer the weather beat us.
This is Es Trenc

We got a few fantastic nights but generally, we spent most of August moving between Santa Ponsa and Palma Nova.

Back to the OP
The North coast is especially beautiful when the wind and swell is from the south.
A favourite of ours is Calobra (about 6 miles north of Soller.
Here's som pics of Calobra

Some of the above posts mention Cabrera
Here are some pics of Cabrera - small group of islands about 10 miles south of Mallorca

Pictures paint a thousand words.

 

[MedDreamer]

This isn't meant as an unhelpful answer but honestly it would be easier to list the places not worth visiting.

Wherever you are around whichever island you will find magical coves and anchorages.

Finding them for yourself is part of the fun.

Btw off the top of my head I can't think of anywhere for the "don't go there" list.

 

[Cheery]

Magaluf?

 

[AIDY]

You beat me to it.... I can name a few similar places, I regret parking the boat...

Cala bona ca n Picaford.... Great if you want a full English and a beer about 10 am

 

[MedDreamer]

I assumed the OP was referring to places to visit by boat, there is no marina in Magaluf but some lovely, if crowded, anchorages in the area a short cruise from the OPs home port.

 

[TonyR123]

Thanks everyone for your replies. There are lots of places from reading that I wish to visit. Just a question of which ones I do first. Cabrera I had read about and hopefully will get there before the end of the year (in a quieter period). Calobra is now on the list as is es trenc. TBH, in time, will visit all the suggestions (avoiding magaluf)

Thanks
Tony

 

[MedDreamer]

Tony

You require a permit to visit Cabrera and I believe you are given a date slot.

The Imray guide to the Balearics is very good and worth having. If time permits I would definitely look at getting across to Menorca. Some great anchorages all around the island. The north coast is open to the weather but if conditions are suitable it's worth making the effort and the ports of Cuitadella and Mahon are both great.

Another gem on Mallorca is Cala San Vincent - north from Calobra. The water is so clear and the seabed has no seaweed - it's like anchoring in turquoise jelly. And the scenery on that part of the coast is spectacular.

I would also second Es Trenc if the weather is right.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks everyone for your replies. There are lots of places from reading that I wish to visit. Just a question of which ones I do first. Cabrera I had read about and hopefully will get there before the end of the year (in a quieter period). Calobra is now on the list as is es trenc. TBH, in time, will visit all the suggestions (avoiding magaluf)

Thanks
Tony

Don't knock Magaluf - it provided a safe anchorage for us last year when a torrential rain storm went through and we were between Las Illetas (between Palma Nova and Palma - also worth a visit).
We arrived in Magaluf during strong local wind and rain - very good hold for the anchor (much better than the neighbouring Palma Nova).
After the rain had gone through, there was nobody on the beaches and it was really very pleasant.
So, don't rule Magaluf out.

 

[DougH]

If the weather is kind to you take a slow trip to Soller.

This coast is the most dramatic and scenic on the Island.

Turn to stb as you leave Portals and follow the coast. When you arrive at Isle Dragonara take the inside route (some peeps say it is shallow, it is NOT) keeping a good eye on your plotter & depth gauge.

The experience continues to Soller for marina use and all the way up to the north of the Island. The west coast can get very angry if you get it wrong.

Do not recommend this trip in poor weather or poor weather approaching.

Remember the north of any Island is the windiest. That certainly applies to the Pollensa/Alcudia area just round the top of the Island (north east)

Fully agree that the Island is littered with magical bays and anchorages.

Just to show how different we all are, I hate Andrax and love Adriano.

 

[Hurricane]

Turn to stb as you leave Portals and follow the coast. When you arrive at Isle Dragonara take the inside route (some peeps say it is shallow, it is NOT) keeping a good eye on your plotter & depth gauge.

Just after Dragonara (literally just after) there is a lovely bay called "Cala Basset" - (a good lunch stop on the way to Soller.
Here are a couple of pics

Again - pictures speak a thousand words

 

[AIDY]

For a bit of peace in the north of the island colonia san pere is a must... One of my favourite place when not at anchor.

Someone might even keep a boat their

 

[oldgit]

If ,heaven forbid, you are waiting for the wind to finally drop and the swell to subside or perhaps the jellyfish to clear sufficiently to risk immersion on your favorite beach,there is a really nice restuarant right by the sea in Puerto de Valldemossa. A bit of a drama to drive down the somewhat precipitous road.The old monastery town of Valledemossa its self worth a visit on the way.
Chopin stayed there with George Sands,she spent most of the time moaning about the island .
Just round the corner from your marina you have Porto Petro the complete opposite of
Cala dor, very laid back with just few basic resturants used by the locals and folks in the know.

 

[DougH]

If ,heaven forbid, you are waiting for the wind to finally drop and the swell to subside or perhaps the jellyfish to clear sufficiently to risk immersion on your favorite beach,there is a really nice restuarant right by the sea in Puerto de Valldemossa. A bit of a drama to drive down the somewhat precipitous road and the old monastery town of Valledemossa its self worth a visit on the way.
Chopin stayed there with George Sands,she spent most of the time moaning about the locals.

Went by car once and my wife fainted on the way down and the way up. Possibly the most dangerous road I have been on.

With you on the restaurant but now visit by boat. Much less stressful.

 

[oldgit]

Went by car once and my wife fainted on the way down and the way up. Possibly the most dangerous road I have been on.

With you on the restaurant but now visit by boat. Much less stressful.

They take coaches down that road

 

[DougH]

They take coaches down that road

Not with me in it

 

[julians]

Probably has to be cabrera and formentera first and foremost, after those you could just pick from any number of smallish bays,you cant really go too wrong.

Places to avoid? The big holiday resort bays ie Magaluf, palma nova and Santa Ponsa. Theyre are not the nicest,but if theyre the only calm places then theyre fine. Like Hurricane,I spent most of the last week of last August in either Santa Ponsa or palma nova or magaluf